| Make Good Habits Stick (...the secret...) |
Before the "New Year, New Me" attitude fades too much, it's probably a good time to talk about how our great intentions or resolutions can actually become lasting lifestyle changes. How can you prevent getting discouraged by February and giving up? There's a lot of science behind how to make good habits stick, so if we get proven methods on our side, we have a lot better chance for them to become permanent.
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We are thrilled...drumroll please!
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We are proud to announce that Jefferson Center was selected as Nonprofit of the Year by the West Chamber. This is truly an honor to be recognized as an "organization that exemplifies making our community a better place to live and work by advocating for positive change within the Jefferson County community."
Read the entire nomination. We will receive the award at the Chairman's Gala Event on February 2nd.
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Take a look at us now...
Jefferson Center is celebrating 60 years!
60 years ago, Jefferson Center was created in a tiny basement office and run by a small handful of staff. Today, Jefferson Center touches the lives of more than 32,000 individuals each year and reaches all corners of Jefferson, Gilpin, and Clear Creek counties. All along our journey, community has community has been at the core of everything we do. As we approach our 60th birthday, we are celebrating with a year of community activities and awareness building events including our 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration on May 10th (save the date! We hope you will join us.) In addition to celebrating our 60 years of history and highlighting our new growth we are proud to be honoring Dr. Harriet Hall, whose leadership and vision has guided Jefferson Center to this milestone.
To kick off the new year, Jefferson Center is refreshing how we look which better represents our brand. Jefferson Center's services have expanded beyond mental health integrating substance use treatment, wellness services, employment and housing supports and more. Check out our fresh new logo and let us know what you think.
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Storytellers of Jefferson Center
Harriet Hall, over 36 years of changes in mental health services |
In celebration of our 60th year, we are reminiscing with employees and others who have been involved with Jefferson Center over the years. Our first interview is with Dr. Harriet Hall, Jefferson Center CEO and President.
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How long have you been with Jefferson Center?
I started as Associate Director in 1981 - so over 36 years! I became CEO in 1984. There were around 70 employees at that time.
What have been the greatest changes at Jefferson Center?
I would say the growth and the range of programs and services that we offer. Jefferson Center started in 1958 and we were actually started by the Mental Health Association. It was a local chapter in Jefferson County and they wanted a community mental health center in the County. We actually started in the basement of the old courthouse. Now we have 17 locations throughout three counties (Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek) and the size of our staff (over 700) and the number of people we're able to serve (over 32,000 last year) is astonishing.
What changes have you seen in Mental Health?
Well, they're huge. The whole structure for funding has changed over time to bring more dollars into the system with which we've been able to build the services that people need. The fact that that has happened is really good. There have been a lot of changes in treatment itself. It used to be we provided only mental health services, and other services such as vocation and housing were provided by other systems. We figured out the importance of integrating services. Now, in addition to providing services to the people in the community, we also provide the support that the community needs so that the whole community can be healthy.
Tell us about a memorable moment during your time at Jefferson Center.
When I started working here, Jefferson Center's administrative office was on 38th in Wheat Ridge in a little old building. We were thrilled when the Board decided to build a new building on Vance Street in Arvada. We soon needed more offices and the Executive team moved to rented space in the bank building across the street. It seems that began a trend - we are always outgrowing our space. We've come a long way from that building that was so dark and damp we used to say that we grew mushrooms in the basement!
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Just the Facts
Addiction and Substance Use |
Addiction affects about 1/8 of our population, that's nearly 40-million people. It is an equal opportunity disease affecting people of all races, cultures, genders, and socio-economic categories.
What is Addiction?
In common terms, addiction is the inability to live without certain substances, and the buildup of dependency on them. It can be both physical and psychological and can even be seen in certain behaviors.
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Time is running out to get your 2018 Art of Hope calendar
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We're down to the last of our supply of our 2018 calendars for this year with only a few stacks left, so don't miss out.
Enjoy the artwork from clients with their own story to tell... stories of recovery, resilience, and strength.
To get your calendar, stop by any of our locations or contact Melissa at 303-432-5156. |
| Jefferson Center to participate with CU's Anschutz Medical Center in a new diabetes study |
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Researchers are hoping to see if combining regular medical treatment with behavioral therapy leads to better results faster for people with diabetes. Most people with diabetes are only seen by medical doctors who prescribe insulin to help stabilize blood sugar levels. This new grant-funded study will measure how much more effective it is to combine the medical treatment with diabetes peer mentors, and physical and mental health education that focuses on skill building. Researchers from both CU Anschutz Medical Center and Jefferson Center for Mental Health expect that the combined therapies will be far more effective in restoring health than medical treatment alone.
"We're excited that we are testing this intervention," says Dr. Jeanette Waxmonsky, the Director of Research Innovation at Jefferson Center, and an Associate Clinical Professor in the University of Denver Department of Family Medicine. In all, twenty medical and mental health clinics in Colorado will be involved in the study.
Diabetes is a highly prevalent disease requiring daily self-care, and managing it through the ups and downs of daily life and the health care system can be a challenge. "This study has the potential to demonstrate the value of integration of mental and physical health and peer support that may also apply to other diseases," according to Dr. Don Bechtold, Medical Director at Jefferson Center.
Researchers say the study has the potential to fill gaps in health knowledge to give both doctors and patients more information and more choice on how they take care of themselves in ways that can be more effective and provide more complete recovery.
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